Australia braces for more fires

High temperatures and strong winds could bring back blazes that killed at least 210.

25 Feb 2009 01:34 GMT

The toll has risen to 210 and is expected to climb further [AFP]

Four major fires are still burning in the region, and the death toll, which rose to 210 on Tuesday, was expected to climb higher as more remains were found from devastated communities.

Firefighters were continuing to battle the blazes while bracing themselves for the expected change in conditions.

"We have to do our very best to manage both the fatigue amongst our crew, but keep going hard enough so we can contain these fires and prepare for Friday," Russell Rees, the country fire authority chief, said.